Sunderland make the short trip across the north-east to face Middlesbrough in the Championship on Sunday.
Sunderland go up against neighbours Middlesbrough in the Tees-Wear derby this weekend.
The Black Cats currently sit in 7th place of the table but Boro in 11th could go level on points with Michael Beale’s side if they manage to get a win.
Michael Beale remains a man under relative pressure despite a much-needed 3-1 win over Stoke City at the Stadium of Light last time out.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough meanwhile come into this one on the back of a 6-1 defeat at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
David Prutton makes Sunderland vs Middlesbrough prediction
And making his prediction for the game on Sunday, Sky Sports pundit David Prutton wrote:
“It was a tough pill to swallow for Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup. After all that good work in the first leg, for it to come undone in the second leg the way it did at Chelsea was disappointing. Michael Carrick probably would have wanted another game sooner than this so there was no time to dwell on it.
“He probably wouldn’t have chosen a local derby either. Michael Beale eased some of the strain on him with that win over Stoke, but a defeat here and any good faith from that result will quickly dissipate. They were thumped in the reverse fixture – albeit while down to 10 players – and can’t afford for the same to happen again here.”
Prutton predicts a 2-2 draw here; in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Dan Neil was sent off and Middlesbrough went on to win 4-0.
Michael Beale facing toughest test yet
Despite a pretty promising win over Stoke last time out, Beale remains a largely unpopular figure among Sunderland fans.
But if he can keep putting points on the board then he’ll quickly ease any early tensions.
And the 43-year-old might have some new signings to unleash this weekend, with the extra day’s preparation potentially allowing for the likes of Romaine Mundle, Leo Hjelde, and Callum Styles to work their way into matchday contention, if not starting contention.
Middlesbrough have perhaps been just as inconsistent as Sunderland this season, and they too are lacking an out and out no.9, so this game could be won of lost on the wings and in midfield.
Jack Clarke will no doubt have his say on the match and once again he could be a game-changer for the Black Cats.
Beale will be hoping that Clarke and co are on form this weekend, as a heavy defeat could see Sunderland fall further away from the top six, and pile all that early pressure back into Beale’s shoulders.
The game kicks off at 12pm on Sunday.